The Dexter cattle are a dual-purpose breed of cattle which are raised for both milk and meat production. It is a miniature cattle breed originating in Ireland.

The breed is about half the size of  traditional Hereford Cattle
The Dexter cattle actually originated in southwestern Ireland from where it was brought to England in 1882.
Dexter cattle are small sized animals. They have wide and deep body with well-rounded hindquarters. They appear in three colors which are red, brown and black.
 

The Dexter cattle are very hardy, forage-efficient animals and they are very friendly in nature. They are usually docile in behavior and have pleasant temperaments.

As an old mountain cattle breed, they are well-adapted to the harsh landscape of Ireland’s rocky fields. They are often known to eat weeds and unwanted vegetation, and can thrive on low-quality pastures.

The cows are great mothers and they can protect their calves from predators very well. They have less issues in calving and usually calve quite easily.

Their milk is of good quality containing about 4 percent butterfat and about 3.5 percent protein. Meat of the Dexter cattle is also of very good quality with good marbling. The small size of the carcass makes the breed an excellent choice for use in direct marketing programs.